ilk

You can also consider using 360 degree cameras in the centre of the corridor and at junctions. This could significantly reduce camera count. Ilkie

If it is for the early version of the MIC400 and is used to change the telemetry protocol, Bosch UK technical support have one so if you ask them nicely they might help you out. Other than that try one of the main CCTV repair workshops. These cameras are no longer supportable as parts are no longer available so you may be better of replacing them with the new MIC550 Ilkie

Synectics, BBV and Pelco make RS-485 star/hub repeaters which work very well. Ilkie

Instead of thinking of PTZs, consider panoramic 360 degree POE cameras. To assist with with cable runs you can purchase specialist quadrant style low profile PVC trunking which can be colour co-ordinated which can e run at the ceiling/wall junction or wall/floor junction or on a skirting top. Remember that with an IP system cable runs are limited to 90m, so consider installing POW switches on each floor with a fibre backbone linking the switches. If money is not too muck of a problem there is also flat tape style fibre optic cable which can be painted over or run behind wall paper. Ilkie

Consider using a RF modulator on the output of the DVR and connect to the TV antenna system Ilkie

A couple of points. We buy our wire in 100m reels, cut to length ourselves and teminate with a thimble and two 4mm U bolts at each end. When you install allow for the expansion/contraction effect caused by variations in temperature. (we have seen fixing failing as the catenary wire was pulled too tight. Another issue will be the use of solid core cables on catenary. The movement of the suspended cable due to wind will cause solid core cable to break so either use purpose designed cable or cables with multiple strands (ie URM70 coax or CAT5E designed for patch leads). Of course the overall sheath should be designed for external use with UV resistance. Ilkie

I caught some "punks" on out CCTV a few years ago. They broke into several cars in the neighborhood. This is when we had the small 4 channel dvr and a multiplexer to push one channel into 4 additional channels. I think the image is clear the police said it was clear.... Did they catch him. Nope because no one could identify him. BTW that was a snap shot from a CIF recording. Now if you are from the midwest you should know or herd of Menards home improvement stores. They record at CIF resolution at 2 FPS. and they are a multi-billion dollar company. Hi Zgebis I agree that all CCTV video is useful (however poor quality picture is presented) and can be used for evidence if acceptable to the court. However, a higher resolution picture may have been able to read the logo on the chest of the guy in your picture, which may have led to identification. Frame rates as low a 2fps will almost certainly mean that action is missed, especially when recording video of targets that move quickly across the surveillance area. As the labour cost increasingly becomes a larger proportion of the total cost of installing CCTV, why would anyone specify equipment (or program systems) which lessen the chance of capturing video which can lead to recognition? (unless the system is installed to meet a planning or licencing requirement only). Ilkie

No even just by the date footage would not be available to you. And as far as digitally removed ..... 2009 either means no hard drive (as 5 years old) but more likely it's not the same system. Sound like you have done a public request for this footage 30 days is max in the uk for public space. But footage from 5 years could not be used for anything now Agreed, Both on the technical level and regulatory and under Data Protection legislation, you will be unable to obtain this video clip. In the UK, 30 days is generally the maximum retention period for all CCTV (except residential, where no rules apply). The Data Protection Act states that data (in this case video) should retained for the minimum amount of time that still meets the reason for installation. It is very difficult to justify the retention of video for longer periods than this, so if the operational requirement can be fully met with a retention of 7 days, this will be the retention limit for this system. Specialist systems such as Police ANPR (currently 2 years), ATM surveillance etc has a slightly different approach to retention. When video is retained by the Criminal Justice System for investigation, prosecution or following conviction, this activity lies outside this piece of legislation, (other rules apply). Interestingly in the US there is a small number of States that are proposing the maximum retention of ANPR data for 3 minutes! Ilkie

I agree, I would suggest a launch amp and a video line equaliser, opto-isolated if earth differential is a problem. Try http://www.addlestone-electronics.co.uk/ It would be useful if you had some test equipment to set up the circuits. Ilkie

I would agree 100%. I fail to understand that given the industry moving to higher resolutions (ie megapixel cameras) to increase the likelihood of recognition, why the industry even considers recording at CIF resolution. We still see the default settings for DVRs set out of the box as CIF, the result of which end users who don't know (or lazy installers) implement CCTV systems with minimal effectiveness. I have yet to see an assessment of a project that indicates that CIF recording will meet the operational requirement better than 2CIF, D1 or MP) Ilkie

Two issues here that need to be considered. Technical - As Sector has quite rightly indicated, data recorded onto hard disks and then overwritten can mostly be recovered, however the costs for this can be very expensive and unlikely to be undertaken unless it relates to cases of high importance. Data Protection - I am assuming that you are in the UK and if the stated retention period (typically 30 days) has been exceeded, (and even if the overwritten data can be recovered) the Council would not be able to release the video as they would be in breach of their Code of Practice and the Data Protection Act 1998. Ilkie

No problem Depending on the site location, a combination of solar + wind turbine + batteries and careful selection of kit will do this. Ilkie

Domestic TVs are not designed to run 24x7x365. In addition, commercial use of domestic TVs probably voids the warranty or limits it to 3 months (check the fine print). You will probably find that it is not the screens that are generating the multi image display matrix, but a computer or other display wall device with HDMI or DVI output. Commercial screens such as NEC are also manufactured by Barco, Sony, LG, Philips, AG Neovo etc. Ilkie

It is true that the cost of CCTV has reduced to the point where for us, we will not engage in the domestic or retail markets. CCTV kit can roughly be divided into three market segments, low end, mid range and high end. Each are capable of producing evidence to a greater or lesser extent. As an example of the commoditisation of the technology, the industry is now being offered low end 'no brand' DVRs (without HDDs) by the container at $30USD each + transport and custom costs. Of course there is a question mark over the quality, warranty and service for such kit and even if one make 100% profit, the trade will only achieve $30 profit per unit which not enough to cover overheads. Bear in mind that if you have engineers that need to be qualified in CCTV, fibre, wireless radio systems, networking, electrics, Health & Safety etc., you can see that the bulk of costs will reside in designing, implementing and maintaining CCTV systems (i.e. not in the kit). Of course the distribution channel is slightly different but they still need to provide support with next to zero margin (in cash terms). As a business we made the decision some years ago not participate in the low and mid range market segments as any achievable margin is greatly outweighed by labour and support costs. (by the way, Avigilon can be considered to be high end) The above are the issues with the CCTV industry today and understanding this may offer a reason to CCTV installers approach and business model. When designing CCTV systems the prime concern is always the output, should this be live or recorded video. All other factors to be considered during the design process should lead to this output. There may be circumstances where one 2Mp low end camera will cover an area of 1,050 square feet. Equally so, depending on the layout and risk profile of the site, ten high end 2mp cameras may not meet the operational requirement. One game changer is the development of the 2-Megapixel Panoramic camera which changes the approach to CCTV camera positioning, the key element to successfully meeting the operational requirement. I suggest that even if you are taking the design responsibility role, you should document your requirements so not to miss anything (or get diverted by the 'techno geek' element in you). Ilkie

You can fit a 1", 2/3" or 1/2" lens on a 1/2" CCD camera with no effect on the image. You can use a standard lens calculator for a 1/2" CCD sensor to predict the image size at a pre-defined distance if you have the focal length of the lens you intend to use. You can also work the calculation the other way around if you know the distance and image size as a percentage of screen image (horizontal/or vertical) Ilkie

Thx for the reply Joseph. I didn't understand 100% what you said but I think you're recommending just talking with a CCTV expert instead of saying "I want *** brand cameras" etc. The issue is that there are no specialized jewelry store CCTV installers in Southern California that I know of. I would rather buy the equipment that I think is suitable and have it installed. I know what is suitable for my business and what is and isn't needed. I've paid a lot of money in the past to CCTV installers and have gotten sub-par equipment. I'm not saying this is the case with everybody but what my experience has been. I would suggest that you need to document in detail the operational requirement before you consider the type of technology or which manufacturer's kit to use. Think about the type of view you wish to see on your live viewing and recording (size of image, resolution, speed of motion, lighting levels/source type etc), where your face recognition images (and images of numberplates are going to be captured, if you have car parking areas) are to come from. Think about wide areas views, high risk areas, entrances, windows, safes, image retention periods, the legal requirements for producing evidence in your country or state, who is going to use the system (complexity & training), what will happen if the system itself is attacked, operating periods in case of loss of mains power, remote access, scalability, viability of manufacturer and supporting supply chain (will the manufacturer support the kit over the expected lifespan of the equipment - will the manufacturer or supply chain even be in existence over this period?). Lastly is the system to be 'open' ie it will work with other manufacturers kit (is ONVIF proven?) or is it a closed system and will tie you into one manufacturer (or installer) The local Police and/or you insurance company may be able to help you help you out specify the above. Only then should you be talking to suppliers when you can insist that meeting the operational requirement is a condition for the system to be signed off. Hope this helps Ilkie

Talk to your insurance company first. Ilkie I have never heard of an insurance company telling a company or home owner they are not allowed to install a CCTV system. From an installer point of view I carry failure to perform insurance from an insurance company so if his jewelry store were to be robbed and my install failed for some reason I am covered, but its up to me to have that insurance, not the customer. Its to cover all the bases. Offer the insurance company an opportunity to detail was is to be covered/retention/ specification etc. They are unlikely to respond unless there are special risks but in the event of a claim, it makes it difficult for them not to payout on the basis the system is not fit for purpose. Ilkie

Talk to your insurance company first. Ilkie

Plus a set of lens filters and vehicle number plate Ilkie

You can buy CAT5 in 25 pair or just use 10 pair telephone cable. likie

What model hard drives are you using and what temperature are they running at? Ilkie

i have found the local distributor. they did not bring in this product due to the price is at the high site. they recommend me other brand. Great. Professional equipment always costs more! Next step is to check that the vehicles you are using have use CANBus system. Ask the distributor to supply you with a demo unit and try it out to confirm it meets your requirements. Regards Ilkie

Look for vehicle CCTV surveillance systems that have CANbus and GPS interfaces. CANbus will allow you to use vehicle telemetry information as metadata for CCTV with GPS offering mapping, location & speed. If you have G-Force sensors this can also provide alarm activation for sudden braking or impacts. See something like http://www.vidiwave.co.uk/datasheets/bus_coach_pdf.pdf Ilkie

Yes you can. There are a number of manufacturers who offer Ethernet over coax converters Ilkie can you give me any? google is no help for what I am putting in. Try AXIS T8640 NVT NV-EC1701 Veracity VHW-HWQ HIGHWIRE QUAD Ethernet over coaxial for four POE cameras Ilkie

Yes you can. There are a number of manufacturers who offer Ethernet over coax converters Ilkie